Computex 2024: top 7 announcements of the show

The Computex 2024 trade show was simply overflowing with announcements. Even early announcements like the Asus ROG Ally X seem insignificant compared to the wave of new products AMD and Intel showed off at the event.

There are seven announcements you should know about.

Best desktop component: AMD Ryzen 9000

It was expected that AMD would unveil Zen 5 processors at Computex 2024, but no one was ready to learn about the Ryzen 9000 desktop processors and Ryzen AI 300 mobile processors. Even more unexpectedly, AMD announced that both lineups would be available in July, making Team Red the first on stage for the next generation of notebook and desktop processors.

Among the more surprising announcements, AMD has announced that both lines will be available in July, making Team Red the first on stage for the next generation of notebook and desktop processors.

The density of new AMD chips being released is unprecedented. Typically AMD releases desktop processors earlier than notebook processors, and they come out months after the announcement. The fact that we are seeing a full Zen 5 lineup for desktops and mobile PCs, and even in just a month, — is huge. AMD is making big claims too, boasting a 55 percent performance boost over Intel’s Core i9-14900K.

Amazingly, AMD is also making big claims, boasting a 55 percent performance boost over Intel’s Core i9-14900K.

For AMD, however, the Ryzen AI 300 chips are the star of the show. They’re designed for Microsoft’s Copilot+ PCs and feature the fastest neural processing unit (NPU) currently available. AMD claims its NPU is capable of 50 tera operations per second (NPU), which is even faster than the Snapdragon X Elite.

As with any new hardware, we’ll have to wait until AMD’s new chips are available to see if the performance claims hold up. There’s no doubt, however, that AMD was on top of its game at this show.

Amazing.

Best component for a laptop: Intel Lunar Lake

Intel has a new generation, too. Lunar Lake processors will arrive later this year — Intel says between July and September, — and they’re aimed exclusively at laptops. Next-generation Arrow Lake processors for desktops will also appear later this year. While Intel doesn’t have as much density as AMD, Lunar Lake is certainly impressive.

And while it’s not as dense as AMD’s, Lunar Lake is certainly impressive.

The company describes it as a “radical low-power architecture,” and that’s not just a superficial statement. For the first time ever, Intel is outsourcing chip production to TSMC, and emphasizing efficient (E) cores. These cores, codenamed Skymont, are said to be the primary performance driver in Lunar Lake, while the performance cores (P), codenamed Lion Cove, will be used for more demanding workloads.

So far, it’s not just the E cores.

Like AMD, Intel is trying to capitalize on the Copilot+ craze. The company says Lunar Lake can achieve 120 TOPS across the chip, with 45 TOPS coming from the NPU and 67 — from the redesigned GPU (the CPU also has a few TOPS). The redesigned GPU — is a big deal, too. It uses a next-generation architecture, codenamed Battlemage, which Intel says is 50 percent faster than the previous generation.

At the same time, it’s a new-generation architecture, codenamed Battlemage.

Even without any specific performance tests, Lunar Lake — is a game changer for Intel. It’s the first true system-on-chip (SoC) from the company, the first time it’s calling on the services of TSMC, and the first time it’s focusing on efficiency rather than raw power. It was one of the highlights of the Computex show. Now we just have to wait for Lunar Lake to actually show up.

And now we’ll have to wait for Lunar Lake to actually show up.

Best Peripheral: Asus ROG Azoth Extreme

Starting with the chips, we have the Asus ROG Azoth Extreme. The original ROG Azoth is undoubtedly one of the most impressive gaming keyboards we’ve seen, and at Computex 2024, the company announced an updated version. It takes the excellent Azoth base and expands on it. It’s a 75 percent padded keyboard with an OLED display that can display various stats. It also features wireless connectivity, something that keyboards like the Meletrix BOOG75 lack.

Another keyboard like the Meletrix BOOG75.

Almost everything has changed, though. For example, the OLED display has gone full-color and touchscreen. Asus has also redesigned the insides, using more foam and a carbon fiber switch panel to improve the sound and feel when typing. As for wireless, Asus has included a new adapter that offers an 8,000Hz polling rate. It’s not often you see wireless on a quality mechanical keyboard, much less one with such a competitive polling rate.

Wireless connectivity is not often found on a quality mechanical keyboard, much less one with such a competitive polling rate.

The main feature of the Azoth Extreme, however, is the adjustable padding. A toggle switch under the Azoth Extreme allows you to adjust the padding to be tighter or looser, completely changing the typing experience. This can be done if you assemble the keyboard yourself, but it’s usually too much of a hassle. With the Azoth Extreme, Asus has not only included this feature for enthusiasts, but also made it more affordable.

At the Azoth Extreme, Asus has not only included this feature for enthusiasts, but also made it more affordable.

Best monitor: Acer Predator X27U F3

One of the most surprising reveals at Computex 2024 was the Acer Predator X27U F3 monitor. Acer showed off three new OLED monitors at the event, but the X27U F3 stands out for its insane refresh rate. It’s a 1440p OLED monitor with an amazing 480Hz refresh rate, and it’s only the second time we’ve seen a monitor with those specs. It was the most impressive monitor we saw at Computex 2024 this year.

It’s the most impressive monitor we’ve seen at Computex 2024.

Asus unveiled a similar display earlier this year, but Acer may be first to market. The company says it plans to release the monitor between July and September, while Asus has yet to confirm a timeline for its 480Hz OLED monitor. Despite its imminent arrival, the X27U F3 won’t come cheap. Acer says it plans to pay $1,600 for the monitor.

Acer says it plans to pay $1,600 for the monitor.

Even at that high price, there’s no doubt that the Predator X27U F3 — is an insane monitor. It’s the fastest OLED display we’ve seen so far, and it comes with a resolution above 1080p.

The Predator X27U F3 is the fastest OLED display we’ve seen so far, and it comes with a resolution above 1080p.

Best PC build announcement: the Nvidia SFF Guide

Although it’s not technology, Nvidia’s new guidelines for small form factor (SFF) PCs were one of the most useful announcements at Computex 2024. Building an SFF PC —s not an easy endeavor, with various levels of compatibility that need to be double-checked before ordering components. Even after careful planning, you can still find yourself in an awkward situation if two components in your build don’t fit together properly — the RAM gap comes to mind — even if everything technically fits in the case.

An awkward situation can still occur if two components in your build don’t fit together properly — even if everything technically fits in the case.

Nvidia is at least making the process a little easier with its SFF recommendations. The company now maintains a list of GPUs, from the RTX 4070 and up, and enclosures that work with each other, all of which are smaller than a traditional midtower PC. For now, Nvidia has certified up to the RTX 4080 Super, which can fit into a 10.4 liter Fractal Terra case. There are no compatibility levels here either — any GPU on the list can fit into any enclosure on the list.

Any GPU on the list can fit into any enclosure on the list.

This isn’t a new standard — Nvidia has said it won’t post a product compatibility icon, — but it’s still a useful resource for those building an SFF computer.

And it’s not a new standard — Nvidia has said it won’t post a product compatibility icon.

Best case: Lian Li A3-mATX

Lian Li announced the A3-mATX about a month ago, but Computex was our first opportunity to see the case in the flesh. The miniature chassis looks great, but what really makes this case stand out is its insane compatibility and bargain price. Despite being an SFF class chassis, Lian Li is only asking $70 for it, making it the best case at Computex.

And it’s the best case at Computex.

This is unheard of for an SFF enclosure, but Lian Li still didn’t skimp. As the name implies, this case is designed for an mATX motherboard, but it can also accommodate a mini ITX motherboard. Lian Li also supports SFX and ATX power supplies, 360mm liquid cooler and GPUs up to 415mm in length. You can fit the most expensive hardware in this case, and it should stay cool considering Lian Li covers all corners with steel mesh.

High compatibility modular design is nothing new for Lian Li, but it’s surprising to see it at such a low price point. Over the past few years, cases that fit the mATX bracket have given way to smaller and more expensive mini ITX cases, but the A3-mATX — is a return of form. And thankfully, it’s a comeback many PC gaming enthusiasts can afford.

And it’s a comeback many PC gamers can afford.

Best laptop: the Asus Tuf Gaming A14

It’s no secret that the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 — is one of the best gaming laptops you can buy, but it’s expensive. In fact, most 14-inch gaming laptops, including models like the Razer Blade 14, are expensive. Asus is taking a different approach with the Tuf Gaming A14 model. It’s a 14-inch gaming laptop designed to be portable, but at a much lower price point, which helps it stand out in a sea of great laptops at Computex 2024.

It’s a 14-inch gaming laptop designed to be portable, but at a much lower price point, which helps it stand out in a sea of great laptops at Computex 2024.

The laptop is priced at $1,400, a few hundred dollars cheaper than usual for this form factor. Despite the low price, Asus claims the laptop weighs just 3.2 pounds and is only 0.66 inches thick. Even among premium 14-inch gaming laptops, that’s an impressive size. Asus also equips the laptop with a 2.5K display with a 165Hz refresh rate, as well as a USB-C power system, which is usually a feature of premium options.

When it comes to specs, Asus limits the laptop to RTX 4060, which is certainly the best option for this type of design. You can also opt for one of AMD’s latest-generation Ryzen 8040 processors or the upcoming Ryzen AI processor. Asus claims that it can handle the flagship Ryzen 9 AI HX 390.

So far, it’s a good bet that it can handle the flagship Ryzen 9 AI HX 390.

While the Tuf Gaming A14 can’t be called cheap, it’s still a lot cheaper than other 14-inch gaming laptops. For models like the ROG Zephyrus G14, you often have to shell out more than $2,000 to even get by. The Tuf Gaming A14 — a promising sign that things are changing in this form factor, with Asus becoming the first to market with a budget gaming laptop with a high degree of portability.

The Tuf Gaming A14 is a promising sign that things are changing in this form factor.